Obituary of Pat Bowar

After a courageous fight with cancer, Patrick Raymond Bowar, 67, died February 21, 2018 at Avera St. Benedict Hospital in Parkston, SD.  He was surrounded by family and covered in prayer at the time of his passing.  Pat’s funeral service will be at Sacred Heart Parish in Parkston, SD on Monday, February 26, 2018 at 10:00 am with burial following at Sacred Heart Cemetery.  Visitation will be Sunday, February 25, 2018 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Sacred Heart Parish in Parkston with a prayer service at 7:00 pm.  Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Parkston.

Pat Bowar was born on March 17, 1950 to Vincent “Bing” and Helen (Sudbeck) Bowar in Parkston, SD, and grew up in Dimock, SD.  After graduating from Parkston High School in 1968, he attended Southern State College-Springfield before joining the Air Force in 1970.  Pat married his high school sweetheart, Catherine Ann McCann, on January 29, 1971.  During his time with the Air Force, they were stationed in South Carolina and Spain.  After returning to the states, Pat finished his schooling with a business degree from the University of South Dakota.  In 1976, Pat began working for Farmers State Bank in Parkston. Then in 1982, he and Bruce Maxwell began Maxwell & Bowar Agency.  Pat retired in 2016, but was still a frequent face around the office.  

Over the years Pat was involved with many groups around the community. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, Dimock Lake Association, and Commercial Club.  He was on the board of Avera St. Benedict Hospital, Avera St. Benedict Foundation, and the Parkston Area Foundation.  In the months before his passing, he worked fervently on the Parkston Scholarship Fund.  

Pat spent his life as a servant of Christ.  He served his country, his community, and mostly his family.  He was an incredible earthly father and a strong example of what our heavenly Father is like.  He cared deeply for others and had empathy for anyone in need.  Papa loved spending time with his grandchildren. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, and volunteering.   His family and friends will remember him for his humble spirit and huge heart. 

Forever grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Cathy of Parkston, SD, daughters Kim (Jerry) Grabow of Sioux Falls, SD, and Jen (Scott) Fergerson of Prairie Village, KS, and son Michael (Audrey) Bowar of Parkston, SD.  Continuing to celebrate Pat’s life are his grandchildren: Madeline Grabow, Alexander and Oliver Fergerson, and Grady, Cohen, and Wells Bowar.

Pat is reunited in death with his parents.

Memorials would be preferred in lieu of flowers and may be given to the Parkston Scholarship Fund.